‘Three Musketeers’ coming to Benedum Center Oct. 22-24

October 1, 2010

PITTSBURGH - It will be "all for one and one for all" when Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre opens its 41st season with the swashbuckling adventure "The Three Musketeers" Oct. 22-24 at the Benedum Center.

Set for four performances, this Pittsburgh premiere is brimming with dashing swordfights, action and virtuoso performances from PBT's male dancers, all swept along by a dramatic score by Giuseppe Verdi performed live by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra.

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Based on Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel, the adventures of the "Three Musketeers" spring to life in a work described by the New York Times as "a rollicking fast-paced production."

New to Pittsburgh, this full-length ballet combines action, romance and comedy as the musketeers set out to foil the devious plots of Cardinal Richelieu and protect the honor of Queen Anne.

Choreographed by Andre Prokovsky, the production had its premiere at the Australian Ballet in 1980. Prokovsky performed with London Festival Ballet and New York City Ballet as a principal dancer; formed his own company, the New London Ballet, with Galina Samsova; and served as the ballet director of the Rome Opera House prior to pursuing a successful career as a freelance choreographer. His works are in the repertoires of major companies throughout the world, including the Kirov Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, Ballet West, Tulsa Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, among others.

The "Three Musketeers" is danced by no less than 10 companies in all of the continents. Matching the drama of the story is the robust and melodious score based on the works of Giuseppe Verdi. Pulling from a number of Verdi operas, among them "Oberto," "Otello," "Macbeth," "Un Giorno di Regno" and "I Masnadieri," the music was arranged and orchestrated by Guy Woolfenden. Excerpts were taken from Verdi's ballet music and operas from throughout his career. Additional music was composed by Woolfenden, who served for 37 years as the head of music to the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has also arranged music for four full-length ballets and has conducted for productions with the Australian Ballet, the Royal Ballet of Flanders and the Scottish Ballet, among others.

The 17th century costumes and scenery features designs by Peter Farmer.